If you only have space for one appliance, a washer-dryer combines both functions, as long as you adjust your loads to its drying capacity, which is lower than its washing capacity. If you do large loads frequently, consider a separate tumble dryer if you have a suitable second space; UFC-Que Choisir highlights the capacity and cycle-time limitations of washer-dryers. Air-drying avoids the need for a second appliance, but ADEME points out that you need to remove the moisture it releases into your home.
You want to wash and dry your clothes in a single appliance. As UFC-Que Choisir points out, a washer-dryer's drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity, so you'll need to plan what to do with a load that's too large to dry in one go.
When loads follow one another or include lots of household linen, the amount you can dry and how long the appliance is occupied matter just as much as the space you save. UFC-Que Choisir reports that combined cycles can be long.
If you'd rather dry your clothes without a second appliance, make sure your home allows you to remove the moisture. ADEME notes that air-drying laundry indoors releases a lot of moisture into your home.
If your home doesn't have space for two appliances, start with your main constraint: space, how often you do laundry, moisture or whether the appliance can be installed.
Consider it if: you only have space for one appliance and can limit the load you put in to dry.
Bear in mind: its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity and, according to UFC-Que Choisir, combined cycles can be long.
Consider it if: a suitable second space is genuinely available and you often have laundry to dry.
Bear in mind: it's an additional appliance, and its connection requirements depend on its technology and instructions.
Consider it if: you have a place to dry your laundry that you can air or ventilate, and a longer drying time works for you.
Bear in mind: you'll need to manage the moisture released by your laundry, as ADEME highlights.
| Consideration | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Available space | Measure the space, access route and door opening; compare them with the model's dimensions and instructions. | When there's room for only one machine, combining washing and drying becomes the priority. Around 33% of consumers would put this space-saving benefit first. |
| Load size and frequency | Compare washing and drying capacities in kg, as well as the length of the wash-and-dry cycle. | If you do load after load, having to remove laundry before drying can make it harder to manage your routine; around 27% of consumers would prioritise how much dry laundry they can get through. |
| Moisture and energy use | Compare water and energy use, and cycle duration, for the wash-and-dry cycle; if you use an indoor airer, check the airflow and ventilation. | In a home prone to condensation, air-drying means paying particular attention to moisture. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise controlling moisture or energy use. |
| Installation | Check the instructions for connections and clearances; if you're choosing a separate tumble dryer, find out how it dries and what it needs for ventilation. | When space is tight or the connections are uncertain, making sure the appliance can be installed comes before choosing a model; around 20% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
UFC-Que Choisir states that a washer-dryer's drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity. So if you wash a full load, you may not be able to dry all of it in the next cycle.
Start with the amount you want to dry and check the capacity limit in kg for the model you're considering.
You may need to remove some laundry, which could mean running another cycle or air-drying it.
Figures for washing alone don't tell you what to expect from a combined cycle. UFC-Que Choisir notes, in particular, that many models use water during drying.
When comparing washer-dryers, use the energy, water and time figures for the same wash-and-dry cycle on their labels.
A condenser dryer and a vented dryer have different requirements. Bosch accessories for condensate water and air venting illustrate the difference, and aren't interchangeable.
Check the technology and read the model's instructions before deciding where to put it or how to connect it.
Depending on the model, you may need to empty a tank, check whether a drain kit is compatible or provide a suitable air vent.
ADEME highlights the moisture released by laundry drying indoors and the importance of removing it to reduce the risk of mould.
Check the available airflow and ventilation before choosing this option, especially in a room that's already prone to condensation.
Electrolux France offers freestanding and integrated washer-dryers, with capacities that vary by model.
Bosch Home Appliances offers separate tumble dryers and provides information about connection accessories for specific technologies.
Whirlpool France offers freestanding and integrated washer-dryers, giving you two configurations to consider depending on your space.
These models combine washing and drying in a single appliance. First, choose one based on the load you want to dry, then check the installation requirements for that model.
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Combines both functions in one freestanding appliance. Plan to dry a smaller load than the maximum washing capacity.
Stated capacities: 11 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. The stated wash-and-dry cycle takes 7 h 32, so bear this in mind if you need to run loads back to back. Check the clearances and connections in the instructions for this model.
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For a single space, if a drying load limited to 6 kg suits the way you do your laundry.
Stated capacities: 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. Before comparing it with another model, check the label for the duration and energy and water use of the wash-and-dry cycle; also make sure the instructions suit your space.
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Wash and dry your laundry in one appliance, adjusting the load to suit its drying capacity.
Stated capacities: 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. Before choosing a space for it, check the dimensions, combined-cycle duration and energy and water use, as well as the connections required for this model.
Read the two figures in kg separately: the first is for washing, the second for drying. The Electrolux EW8W3816BI product details list an 8 kg washing capacity and a 4 kg drying capacity. To dry a larger load you've washed, you'll need to remove some of it first.
Compare the figures for the wash-and-dry cycle, particularly energy use, water use and duration, rather than looking at washing alone. The European regulation on appliance labelling distinguishes between the information for each cycle, so use the same basis when comparing all the models you're considering.
For a washer-dryer, check its instructions for the water supply, waste-water outlet, electrical supply and required clearances. For a separate tumble dryer, the way it vents depends on its technology: Bosch provides information on collecting or draining condensate water on some models, as well as on air ducts for vented appliances.
Yes, as long as you can manage the moisture the laundry releases into the room. ADEME highlights the importance of removing it to reduce the risk of mould. Check your home's ventilation and whether you can air the room, particularly if you already get condensation.